Just hours after election results were in, naming Donald Trump the 45th president of the United States, Starbucks CEO and chairman Howard Schultz sent a powerful email to the coffee chain's 170,000-plus partners, candidly sharing his thoughts on the election results—and how he believes the company should respond in the four years ahead.
"Like so many of our fellow Americans–both Democrats and Republicans–I am stunned," he wrote. "We cannot know what the precise impact will be on our country and the rest of the world. I am hopeful that we will overcome the vitriol and division of this unprecedented election season."
Schultz—who publicly endorsed Hillary Clinton, telling Mad Money host Jim Cramer she's "the best choice" this past September—has spoken repeatedly about how divisive this particular election season has been, encouraging people to see past their party affiliation and other differences. In the weeks leading up to Election Day, Starbucks also released a limited-edition green cup, featuring a single-line sketch connecting drawings of 100 people from all walks of life, as a reminder of community and compassion.
Rather than focus on his disappointment in his preferred candidate losing the race, Schultz urged Starbucks employees to "honor the democratic process," writing that it's "our responsibility as citizens to give [Trump] the opportunity to govern well and bring our country together."
This isn't the first email Schultz has sent employees regarding the election. Just a few days before Super Tuesday, he wrote to them, saying he felt "a bit anxious" about the vote and asked everyone to share "kindness, compassion, empathy" and love, reports CNNMoney. He did not tell them who to vote for.
Here's the complete email, titled "Onward Together," which was sent out around 9:30 a.m.:
Dear partners,
Last night, like so many of you, I watched the election returns with family and friends. And like so many of our fellow Americans – both Democrats and Republicans – I am stunned.
We cannot know what the precise impact will be on our country and the rest of the world. I am hopeful that we will overcome the vitriol and division of this unprecedented election season.
As Americans, we must honor the democratic process. We have a president-elect in Donald Trump, and it is our responsibility as citizens to give him the opportunity to govern well and bring our country together.
Whether you are pleased or disappointed by the outcome, we each still have a choice. Today and every day, we have a choice in how we treat one another in our homes, in our neighborhoods, and of course in our stores.
We can choose to answer the challenges of the day with kindness and compassion. We can choose to listen, to understand and to act with respect. We can choose to live by the values that reside in each of us, and honor our commitment to nurture the human spirit with love, and offer everyone in our stores and communities a place of inclusion and optimism.
Today, I trust you, and I trust all that is good in our country. Let's take care of each other and the people in our lives. I believe we will each find the best version of ourselves to help our country move on in the direction we all deserve. Together is where our collective power lies, as partners, and as Americans.
I am so very proud to be your partner.
Onward,
Howard
This isn't the first time Schultz has entered the political fray—he endorsed Barack Obama for the presidency in 2008 and 2012—and it likely won't be his last. He hasn't made any public plans to run for president himself, though he also hasn't ruled out running in the future. "Never say never," he told CNN in September.
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